Eastern Education Group celebrates class of 2024 during annual awards ceremony held at the Cathedral

Students from across the Eastern Education Group (EEG) - West Suffolk College Sixth Form, Abbeygate Sixth Form in Bury St Edmunds and One Sixth Form in Ipswich - were recognised and honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony that took place on Tuesday 25 June 2024.

Held at the Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds, the ‘Celebration of Achievement’ awards shine a light on success across the EEG.

32 prizes were handed out in categories that encompassed character strength, sustainability and equality, diversity and inclusion. There were also categories for most improved student, outstanding young learner, rising star and a principal’s choice category saw three learners also gain awards.

The awards took place amidst a backdrop of ongoing success for the EEG during the last 12 months that has seen the opening of new facilities including a state of the art XR lab, continued academic excellence as well as ongoing support for a host of community projects.

Dr Nikos Savvas is the Chief Executive Officer of the EEG. He said: “Tonight is one of my favourite nights of the year.  I love celebrating the hard work, dedication, and effort that so many of our young people have put in to their studies.  Many have gone above and beyond and it’s important we recognise them. Dedication is the cornerstone of achievement. Our students have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, investing time and effort into their studies, often balancing numerous responsibilities. You (students) have shown that with determination, no challenge is insurmountable. Your passion for learning and your dedication to self-improvement inspires us all.”

Award winners from West Suffolk College, Abbeygate Sixth Form College and One Sixth Form College, alongside Dr Nikos Savvas, CEO of Eastern Education Group, and Chair of Governors, Elton D'Souza

Dr Savvas also thanked parents, families, friends, teachers, tutors, mentors and staff for supporting learners across the group.

One of the recipients was Hamish Crawford from One Sixth Form College. Hamish, 20, from Ipswich was given an accolade for showing remarkable growth and unwavering determination as he won a character strength award. Hamish is off to Lords this week to represent the sixth form in a national table cricket finals competition.

Hamish Crawford from One Sixth Form College who showed remarkable growth and unwavering determination to win a charachter strength award - here he is pictured with his family - the Crawfords

Kate Platt helped create a feminist society at One Sixth Form College and also helped raise £500.00 for a women's refuge.

Other One Sixth Form College winners included Kate Platt, 17, from Ipswich.

Kate helped set up a feminist society at One Sixth Form College and raised over £500 to for a women’s refuge charity. She said: “I was shocked –and super happy to win (this award). “We put in a lot of work with the feminist society. Hopefully our year 12’s will now keep it going.”

Caliyah Jackson studied English and maths at One Sixth Form College and has just secured a job - she won an outstanding young adult learner award

Caliyah Jackson, 22, from Ipswich also studies at One Sixth form College. The English and maths student won an outstanding young adult award and said: “I was shocked to win this. I’m very proud of myself.”

Caliyah has just been offered a job role at the sixth form in the catering department.

Sofia Oksonenko from One Sixth Form College gained a remarkable student award at the Eastern Education Group's annual celebration of achievement

And Sofia Oksonenko, 19, who is currently living in Ipswich won a remarkable student award after settling in Suffolk with her mother and brother after leaving Ukraine.

Sofia said: “I really like people in the college, Ipswich and the UK - I feel very supported. I’m (also) proud of my achievements.”

Sofia has now got an offer to study media and communications at City University of London.

Out of all of the winners – two special prizes were also given out by way of a CEO and Governors choice award. These accolades went to Marcus Steventon and Stella Godden.

Marcus, 19, from Bury St Edmunds studied at West Suffolk College Sixth Form on a T Level childcare course. During his programme, he collected festive presents for children who would otherwise not receive a gift at Christmas as part of a campaign that is run by the Salvation Army. Marcus said ‘it was amazing to win’.

Stella, 18, from Bury St Edmunds is a learner from Abbeygate Sixth Form and was praised during the ceremony ‘for being a brilliant ambassador for the college’.

The master of ceremonies was Tanya Verow – a performing arts lecturer at One Sixth Form College - and all winners received a trophy. Music was performed by a choir made up of West Suffolk College Sixth Form performing arts students called Amado. And food was provided by Edmunds Restaurant.